Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/04/2002

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space, Staff is suggesting following that which is currently proposed in the amendments to the Zoning Chapter: 40 % of the gross area of the project site should be open space, exclusive of roads, buildings, parking lots and other hardsurface areas, and wetlands; and 10% of the 40% should be set aside as an identifiable common area for use by the residents of the development. City Staff recommends sketch plan approval subject to the Metropolitan Council approving the comprehensive plan amendment and compliance with the City Staff Review Letter dated March 28, 2002. John Peterson, Oakwood Land Development, stated one concern is the curved street, which is the trademark of the designer, Rick Harrison. He said this is called "coving". He said the city engineers raised a problem; the streets do not meet the 30 mph design standard which Minnesota traditionally uses. These streets are designed for 26 mph. He explained the difference of time in getting from one end of the development to the other with the curved streets is 16 to 20 seconds. If that 16 seconds is crucial, it changes their plan significantly, he stated. If the streets need to be redesigned to accommodate 30 mph, this will mean they will need to give up some green space. City Engineer Steve Jankowski noted the rule cannot be changed because it is a state statute. He offered to research this issue. Chairperson Nixt questioned the status of the access to the west. Mr. Peterson explained that in Wildlife Sanctuary to the north there is a stub street to the west and his company owns it. He addressed the green space issue stating his engineers said they are at 52%. Mr. Peterson said for the units on the public street, there is 30 feet between the front of the unit and right-of-way. The ordinance calls for 35 feet from the right-of-way, and therefore a variance is needed. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Chairperson Nixt, to approve the sketch plan for Sunflower Ridge contingent upon an approved comprehensive plan amendment and compliance with City Staff Review Letter dated March 28, 2002, and providing an access to the west within the boundaries of Sunflower Ridge. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Johnson, Brauer, Kociscak, Reeve, Sweet, and Watson. Voting No: None. Absent: None. Case #7: Request for Sketch Plan Review of Wildlife Sanctuary 2"d Addition; Case of Oakwood Land Development Presentation Community Development Assistant Wald stated Oakwood Land Development has applied for sketch plan review to replat Lots 1 and 2 of Wildlife Sanctuary Addition located west of State Planning Commission/April 4, 2002 Page 10 of 14